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Intelligent warehouse logistics
The rapid development of intelligent logistics and automated warehousing has placed higher demands on every component within material handling systems. Among these, polyurethane wheels play a critical role in ensuring smooth, efficient, and reliable movement of goods across warehouses, distribution centers, and fulfillment facilities.
Hanke specializes in manufacturing high-performance polyurethane wheels designed specifically for the demanding conditions of modern intelligent warehousing. Our products are engineered to deliver consistent performance across the four core equipment types that drive today's automated warehouses: AGVs, stacker cranes, shuttle vehicles, and conveyor systems.
1. Polyurethane Drive Wheels for AGVs
AGVs serve as the mobile backbone of intelligent warehouses, responsible for transporting goods between storage zones, picking stations, and shipping docks. The wheels on these vehicles directly impact positioning accuracy, energy efficiency, and overall system uptime.
▲ AGV automated guided vehicle in a smart warehouse environment
Key Requirements for AGV Wheels
|
Requirement |
Why It Matters |
|
High load capacity |
AGVs carry payloads from 200 kg to several tons |
|
Low rolling resistance |
Reduces battery consumption, extends vehicle runtime |
|
Consistent traction |
Essential for precise positioning and ramp negotiation |
|
Wear resistance |
AGVs often operate continuously, sometimes 24/7 |
|
Low noise |
Important for work environments with personnel nearby |
Recommended AGV Product Series
GEFC Series (Flanged Drive Wheels)
- Wheel diameter range: 200 – 750 mm
- Load capacity: 650 – 15,000 kg (at 4 km/h)
- Hardness options: 75 – 95 Shore A
- Available hub materials: 45# steel, cast iron, aluminum alloy, stainless steel
- Best for: Heavy-duty AGVs, large payload carriers
GSFD Series (Eamflex Tread Flanged Drive Wheels)
- Featuring Eamflex polyurethane compound (93 Shore A)
- Optimized for high abrasion resistance and extended service life
- Best for: High-frequency AGV operations, long-distance transport
GEJE Series (Keyway Drive Wheels)
- Compact keyway mounting design
- Suitable for lighter AGVs and space-constrained installations
- Best for: Small to medium AGVs, shuttle-type vehicles
Customer Case Study
A European logistics automation company operates a fleet of 120 AGVs in a smart warehouse. After switching to Hanke 95A hardness polyurethane drive wheels, they reported a 35% reduction in wheel replacement costs and a 12% extension in battery life due to lower rolling resistance. Each wheel consistently handles loads of 400 kg across multi-shift operations.
2. Polyurethane Wheels for Stacker Cranes
Stacker cranes are the vertical workhorses of automated warehouses, moving along narrow aisles to retrieve and store pallets at heights often exceeding 20 meters. The wheels on these cranes must provide precise guidance, stable load support, and minimal vibration at both low and high travel speeds.
▲ Stacker crane operating in a high-bay automated warehouse
Special Requirements for Stacker Crane Wheels
- High vertical loads: Each wheel supports a significant portion of the crane's weight plus the payload
- Narrow aisle travel: Lateral stability is critical for preventing rack collisions
- Frequent starts and stops: Instantaneous high torque from motors places stress on wheels
- Long maintenance intervals: Limited access for maintenance in high-bay warehouses
Hanke Recommended Solutions for Stacker Cranes
Guide Wheels
Hanke's polyurethane guide wheels provide reliable lateral guidance for stacker cranes traveling along bottom rails. The polyurethane tread absorbs minor rail irregularities while maintaining precise positioning.
Load Wheels (Drive/Driven Wheels)
For the main load-bearing wheels on stacker cranes, Hanke recommends:
- Eamflex compound (93 Shore A) — maximum abrasion resistance for continuous operation
- Saxflex compound (75 Shore A) — reduced vibration and noise for lower-speed installations
Both options feature our precision-machined hub-to-tread bonding process, ensuring the polyurethane layer remains securely attached even under repeated high-stress cycles.
3. Polyurethane Wheels for Shuttle Vehicles
Shuttle vehicles operate within multi-level racking systems, traveling horizontally to move goods between storage positions and vertical lifts. Their compact design and high-speed operation place specific demands on wheel performance.
▲ Shuttle vehicle running on rack rails in dense storage system
Key Challenges for Shuttle Wheels
|
Challenge |
Impact |
|
Limited mounting space |
Smaller wheels must handle proportionally higher loads |
|
High-speed traversing |
Heat buildup in polyurethane can reduce service life |
|
Frequent reversals |
Increased wear at the contact surface |
|
Silent operation required |
Noise-sensitive warehouse environments |
Hanke Recommended Solutions for Shuttle Vehicles
Compact Flanged Drive Wheels
- Diameter range: 100 – 250 mm
- Optimized polyurethane compound for reduced heat generation
- Precision-toleranced hub for minimal runout
Polyurethane Guide Wheels
- Designed for rail guidance in shuttle systems
- Saxflex compound for low-noise operation
- Smooth, non-marking tread surface
4. Polyurethane Rollers for Conveyor Systems
Conveyor systems remain the most common method for horizontal transport within warehouses. Polyurethane conveyor rollers offer significant advantages over traditional rubber or metal rollers in terms of wear life, noise reduction, and product protection.
▲ Polyurethane conveyor rollers transporting packages in logistics center
Advantages of Polyurethane Conveyor Rollers
|
Advantage |
Description |
|
Extended service life |
Polyurethane lasts 2-3x longer than rubber in typical conveyor applications |
|
Noise reduction |
Polyurethane absorbs vibration, lowering overall system noise |
|
Non-marking |
Will not leave residue on transported goods or frames |
|
Chemical resistance |
Suitable for environments with oils, cleaning agents, or solvents |
|
Customizable hardness |
Available from 60 Shore A (soft grip) to 95 Shore A (hard drive) |
Hanke Conveyor Roller Products
TER Series (Polyurethane Conveyor Rollers)
- Suitable for both powered and gravity conveyor systems
- Customizable polyurethane coating thickness
- Available with metal or plastic bearing housings
- Diameter range: 30 – 200 mm
Polyurethane Coated Bearings
- For applications requiring integrated bearing and roller functionality
- Precision-pressed polyurethane coating
- Used in accumulating conveyors and transfer stations
5. Why Choose Hanke
35+ Years of Polyurethane Expertise
Since 1989, Hanke has been at the forefront of polyurethane technology in China. Starting with the development of the first domestically produced polyurethane casting machine, we now apply that same technical depth to manufacturing world-class polyurethane wheels.
52 Technical Patents
Our R&D team holds 52 patents covering polyurethane formulations, bonding processes, and wheel structure designs. This intellectual property translates directly into product performance that our customers can rely on.
Precision Quality Control
Every wheel shipped from Hanke's facility undergoes inspection using CHOTEST coordinate measuring machines (CMM) with accuracy down to 1 micron. Each production batch is traceable through our quality management system, and detailed inspection reports are available upon request.
Two Distinct Tread Systems
|
System |
Hardness |
Best For |
|
Eamflex |
93 Shore A |
High-wear, heavy-load applications |
|
Saxflex |
75 Shore A |
Low-noise, floor-protection applications |
Global Customer Trust
Hanke's polyurethane wheels are trusted by leading companies across industries, including Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Geely, China CRRC, KONE Elevators, and Tennant. Our annual production volume exceeds 300,000 single wheels, serving customers in over 20 countries.
Summary
For intelligent warehouse logistics applications, selecting the right polyurethane wheel is critical to the overall performance, reliability, and operating cost of your material handling equipment.
Hanke provides:
- Complete wheel solutions for AGVs, stacker cranes, shuttles, and conveyors
- Two proprietary tread systems optimized for different operating conditions
- Precision manufacturing with micron-level quality control
- Proven performance validated by global industry leaders
Whether you are designing a new automated warehouse or upgrading an existing system, our technical team can help you select the optimal wheel configuration for your specific application.
For inquiries about polyurethane wheel solutions for intelligent warehouse logistics, please contact our technical support team.
Hanke (Wenzhou) Polyurethane Technology Co., Ltd.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +86-183 1290 0808
Web: www.hankepu.com
